All the captains of the Gotei 13 gathered in the small captain's room. "Gentlemen!" Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, holding a cane, stood at the head of the group, his eyes sharp as steel as he looked at them. "What are your thoughts on this matter?"
As Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai spoke, he pulled out a roster in his hand. In the list of the Thirteenth Division's vice-captains, the name Rukia Kuchiki was clearly written.
"Rukia Kuchiki!?" Kūkaku Shiba stared at the name, stunned. "Hey, hey, hey!? Are you kidding me? I don't remember having anyone named Rukia Kuchiki in our squad!"
"Kūkaku- nee." Ichigo Kurosaki stepped forward and looked at Kūkaku Shiba. "Could you please tell me who the current vice-captain of your Gotei Thirteenth Division is?"
"Our Thirteenth Division's vice-captain is of course..." Kūkaku Shiba began, then suddenly paused, "Eh!? That's strange, I can't remember!?"
"See?!" Ichigo Kurosaki Kūkaku Shiba, who seemed at a loss for words. "It's not that someone named Rukia Kuchiki Rukia Kuchiki n't exist in this world; it's just that we carelessly forgot about her!"
"Forgotten..." Kūkaku Shiba was taken aback. "You mean the enemy manipulated all of our memories, just to make us forget one person!?"
"It didn't interfere with all of our memories." Shaoling Fon shook her head at this moment. "Those who were closer to Sōgo Shihoin were less affected."
"Relatively light?!" Kūkaku Shiba suddenly realized, "That's right, the enemy can manipulate our memories, but no matter how strong the enemy is, they could never manipulate the memories of Sōgo Shihoin."
"That's right!" This statement instantly received the agreement of all the team captains present. As everyone knows, Sōgo Shihoin is invincible in this world. This is common sense, just like the need for food and water to live.
"Everyone!" Just as everyone was exchanging glances and whispering amongst themselves, Byakuya Kuchiki, who had remained silent until now, pulled a register from his robes. "Everyone! I found Rukia Kuchiki's name on the Kuchiki Clan register. She is indeed my adopted sister, and also the younger sister of my wife Hisana Kuchiki. Therefore, on behalf of the Five Great Noble Clans Kuchiki Clan of Kuchiki, I guarantee that Ichigo Kurosaki's words are true! I also hope that you can all help me find my sister!"
"Byakuya Kuchiki..." This was the first time anyone had ever seen Byakuya Kuchiki so anxious.
"Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya Kuchiki looked at Ichigo Kurosaki, and the next second, he bowed slightly. "Thank you!"
"Huh!? I must be seeing things, right?"
"That Byakuya Kuchiki actually bowed and thanked me!?"
"Hahaha..."
Ichigo Kurosaki looked at Byakuya Kuchiki thanking him and suddenly laughed, "It's alright, it's alright~ It's what I should do, no need to thank me!"
"Thump!" Just as Ichigo Kurosaki revealed a silly smile, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, holding his cane, gently tapped the ground, making a series of sounds.
"Now that you have confirmed Rukia Kuchiki's existence..." Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai began, "It is time for us to act. Second Division, listen to my orders!"
"Yes, sir!" Upon hearing this, Shaoling Fon immediately walked to Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai's side. "I hereby order Second Division Captain Shaoling Fon to thoroughly search the entire Second Division barracks and the surrounding streets to ensure that Rukia Kuchiki is absolutely not present in the streets under the Second Division's jurisdiction! And ensure the safety of the Seireitei while the other captains are out!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Shaoling Fon nodded slightly; this task was far too easy for her.
"Third Division!" Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai continued, "Third Division Captain Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, I now order you to lead the Gotei Third Division 3 to thoroughly investigate the entire outer perimeter of the Seireitei!"
"Yes, ma'am~" Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi yawned and nodded slightly.
"Captain Retsu Unohana the Fourth Division, lead the Fourth Division to hold their position! Captain Shinji Hirako the Fifth Division, lead the Fifth Division to take charge of Rukongai from number 1 to 60!"
"Captain Byakuya Kuchiki the Sixth Division is leading the Sixth Division in a thorough investigation of the Seireitei's noble district!"
"Captain Sajin Komamura of the Seventh Division is leading the Seventh Division in a thorough investigation of Rukongai 61 through 120!"
"Shunsui Kyōraku of the Eighth Division is in charge of..." Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai paused for a moment when mentioning Shunsui Kyōraku, "Kyōraku, you will lead the Eighth Division to be responsible for the security of the outer perimeter of Seireitei!"
"Captain Kensei Muguruma, leader of the Captain of the Ninth Division, Rukongai Ninth Division 121 to 180!"
"Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division Tenth Division in charge of the 181st to 240th Rukongai!"
"Captain Kenpachi Zaraki the 11th Division is responsible for leading the 11th Division to oversee Rukongai 241 to 300!"
"The Twelfth Division, hold your position!"
"Finally, you will lead the Thirteenth Division, Gotei Thirteenth Division Kūkaku Shiba, to take charge of the remaining Rukongai."
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai's mind raced, quickly assigning tasks and duties to the captains of each squad, and finally concluded the meeting!
"That's all! Meeting adjourned!" With a low voice from Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, the Captains' Meeting ended.
"Work! Work!" Shunsui Kyōraku yawned, muttering weakly. As an Advancement Messenger similar to Borsalino, he was full of resistance to work. In his heart, he would rather have a day off every day.
"He picked the easiest job, yet he still had the nerve to make that kind of noise." Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi looked at Shunsui Kyōraku with displeasure. He also wanted to be in charge of the guard duty, which in an era without fighting was essentially just standing around doing nothing.
"Ugh, so annoying~" Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi was a little annoyed, but there was nothing he could do. He wasn't the same extraordinary hoodlum he was a few years ago, able to roam freely in the World of the Living. Now he was a civil servant with a stable job and a secure livelihood. If he didn't work hard now, his salary would be docked...
"Rukia Kuchiki!?" Shinji Hirako continued walking forward, muttering to himself. Compared to the others, he was thinking much deeper. He was curious as to why the enemy wasn't attacking anyone else, but instead only targeting Rukia Kuchiki.
"Interesting~" Shinji Hirako smiled as he walked out of the First Division's room. However, instead of going to the Fifth Division, he took a detour to the Second Division.
Shinji Hirako walked past the guards of the Second Division without any hindrance; to these ordinary Second Division members, Shinji Hirako's speed was simply too fast.
"Where are you going!?" Just as Shinji Hirako was about to continue deeper into the area, a man with beautiful long hair and delicate features, resembling a stunning classical beauty, stood in front of Shinji Hirako and quietly asked.
"Sōya Azashiro!?" Shinji Hirako looked at Sōya Azashiro and asked in surprise.
"Hmm!" Sōya Azashiro nodded slightly. "I wonder why the captain of the Fifth Division isn't staying in the Fifth Division? What are you doing here in the Second Division!?"
"Sōya Azashiro, I have something to ask you." Shinji Hirako smiled at Sōya Azashiro. "I think you already know about the Captains' Meeting, so I wanted to ask you, where is Rukia Kuchiki?!"
"..." Upon hearing this, Sōya Azashiro quietly looked at Shinji Hirako without answering.
"Don't misunderstand!" Shinji Hirako waved his hand. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just think that instead of looking for other people or having my squad members wander around Soul Society aimlessly, it would be better and faster to find you. After all, your abilities are perfect for finding people."
"..." Sōya Azashiro looked at Shinji Hirako in silence for a moment. He knew that the reason the other party knew about his Zanpakuto's abilities was because of his Zanpakuto spirit. His Zanpakuto spirit was right beside him, always accompanying him. Normal people couldn't see the spirit of their Zanpakuto, but there were always some abnormal people in this world, such as Sōgo Shihoin, Sōsuke Aizen, Kisuke Urahara Yoruichi Shihōin in front of him, Hirako Shinji Hirako in his heart.
Once such a unique being appears, his talkative sword spirit will pull the other party into a long chat, not only telling all the embarrassing things that happened to him when he was a child, but also telling the other party about the abilities of his Zanpakuto. To be honest, this always left Sōya Azashiro feeling quite helpless.
"Rukia Kuchiki..."
"Captain Shinji Hirako, even I can't tell you where Rukia Kuchiki is~"
"I can only answer you that she is not in Seireitei at this moment. Perhaps she is in one of the 320 Rukongai, perhaps she is in Hueco Mundo, or perhaps she is in the Dangai or the Valley of Screams of the World of the Living! Any of these places are possible!"
Sōya Azashiro looked calmly at Shinji Hirako and spoke softly.
"If you really want to find Rukia Kuchiki quickly~"
My suggestion is... go ask that man!
"Apart from Sōgo Shihoin, no one in this world can escape that man's control."
Sōya Azashiro Sōya Azashiro trying to annoy Shinji Hirako. He hated being manipulated, so whenever someone used semi-coercive methods to force him to do something, he would devise all sorts of ways to retaliate against that person. For example, right now, standing before him was the Fifth Division Captain Shinji Hirako.
To be honest, if I had to choose one person I liked from the two generations of Fifth Division Captain, I would definitely choose Sōsuke Aizen Sōya Azashiro without hesitation. I don't like Shinji Hirako Sōya Azashiro all. I think Shinji Hirako is too cunning. Sōsuke Aizen very straightforward. From the beginning, Sōsuke Aizen has worn his ambition on his sleeve and will openly tell others that his goal is to stand in the heavens.
"Hehe..." Shinji Hirako knew who Sōya Azashiro was talking about. Currently, the only person in the entire Soul Society who could claim to control the movements of everyone except Sōgo Shihoin was a certain former follower of his—the man he had always treated with caution since their school days, but who was still manipulated by him— Sōsuke Aizen!
"Forget it~" Shinji Hirako shrugged. "Aizen and I just don't get along. If we were to run into each other, we'd definitely fight, hehehe..."
"No way!" Sōya Azashiro had no intention of letting Shinji Hirako either. "Even if you Hollowfication, Shinji Hirako, you wouldn't be a match for Sōsuke Aizen just one hand, so please rest assured~ You two will absolutely not fight, you're safe."
"..." Upon hearing this, Shinji Hirako immediately turned around, "Farewell!"
The bamboo shoots on the mountain had all been snatched up by the man behind him. He felt a surge of energy swelling in his lungs, Sōya Azashiro, he estimated he would ascend to immortality right there on the spot...
"Hehehe..." Sōya Azashiro watched Shinji Hirako's retreating figure and let out a cold laugh filled with pleasure.
"You're the one who invited me here, and you just ran away because you couldn't win the argument? Heh... You don't even deserve to be a keyboard warrior!" Sōya Azashiro sneered.
"Not in Seireitei..." Shinji Hirako's lips curled into a slight smile. "Interesting~"
"If she's not in Seireitei, that means Rukia disappeared before Sōya Azashiro's eyes." Shinji Hirako's mind raced. "As far as I know, with Rukia Kuchiki's strength, there's only one technique she can use to disappear before Sōya Azashiro's eyes! That's the Senkaimon!"
"So, Rukia Kuchiki is actually no longer in Soul Society?" Shinji Hirako stroked his chin. "Then where did this Rukia Kuchiki, who ran away on her own, go?"
"Crack..."
Just as Shinji Hirako was puzzled, a huge Senkaimon suddenly opened in front of him.
"Hmm!?" Shinji Hirako looked at the Senkaimon in front of him with a puzzled expression.
"I'm finally back in Soul Society!" Sōgo Shihoin walked happily through the Senkaimon, holding a G-game in one hand and a Jump in the other.
"Um!?"
"Ha!?"
Sōgo Shihoin and Shinji Hirako exchanged bewildered glances.
"What are you doing in the Second Division?" Sōgo Shihoin asked Shinji Hirako with a puzzled look.
"I'm here to find someone." Shinji Hirako had no intention of lying, nor did he have any reason to lie, and stated it directly.
"Looking for someone? Who?" Sōgo Shihoin taken aback.
"Rukia Kuchiki!" Shinji Hirako replied.
"Rukia Kuchiki?" Sōgo Shihoin, puzzled. "What do you want with her?"
"I have something very important to attend to!" Shinji Hirako explained.
"What is it?" Sōgo Shihoin wanted to know how serious it was.
"Actually, we've all forgotten about Rukia Kuchiki! In order to recover our lost memories, I must find Rukia Kuchiki Rukia Kuchiki ask her why she disappeared from our memories!" Rukia Kuchiki Shinji Hirako explained earnestly.
"You're crazy!" Sōgo Shihoin gave Shinji Hirako a disdainful look and strode toward the squadron barracks ahead.
It wasn't that Sōgo Shihoin thought Shinji Hirako was crazy, but rather that it was just too bizarre for him to say he didn't remember Rukia Kuchiki Rukia Kuchiki while simultaneously calling out her name. It left people speechless.
(End of this chapter)